Bridges are increasingly used in networks operated by multiple independent organizations, each with restricted management access to each other‘s equipment. CFM provides capabilities for detecting, verifying and isolating connectivity failures in such networks.
There are multiple organizations involved in a Metro Ethernet Service: Customers, Service Providers and Operators.
Customers purchase Ethernet Service from Service Providers. Service Providers may utilize their own networks, or the networks of other Operators to provide connectivity for the requested service. Customers themselves may be Service Providers, for example a Customer may be an Internet Service Provider which sells Internet connectivity.
Operators will need minimal Ethernet OAM. Providers will need more comprehensive Ethernet OAM for themselves and to allow customers better monitoring functionality.
